Up to 100 people traveled to the Roslyn High School cafeteria last Monday night to attend a debate between the candidates for the board of education. The debate was sponsored by the Manhasset-Port Washington League of Women Voters and was the first of two such events held prior to the hotly-contested May 16 election.

The four candidates--Dani Kline, Jeff Borowick, Ronald Smith, and David Seinfeld--all made brief presentations before the question and answer period. For the rest of the evening, the candidates addressed such issues as more efficient allocation of school funds, the superintendent search, and working with other districts on such issues as transportation.

When asked what was the number one issue facing the school district, Jeff Borowick listed finding a permanent superintendent, while Ronald Smith stressed the need for long-term planning both "economically and educationally." David Seinfeld added that a new superintendent should "form a cabinet" to work with parents and faculty on charting the district's future course.

On budgetary matters, Ronald Smith said the district should work with other districts on such items as buses and drivers to find savings. The same policy, he added, should be used for savings in special education programs. Dani Kline also stressed the transportation issue, adding that Roslyn should work with other districts on outsourcing garage needs. Jeff Borowick noted that he has been working with Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi on an ambitious county-wide cost savings program that includes waste and fraud elimination in school budgets. Borowick added that the district needs an independent auditor and outside consultant for its budget, while also using any extra funds for technology that would improve the distribution of existing funds.

All of the candidates agreed on the need for a BOE where members respect differing opinions, especially during a time of lawsuits and continuing revelations in the embezzlement scandal.

On the subject of developing "outstanding educational programs" for the district, David Seinfeld stressed the need for a "strong leader with vision and passion." Dani Kline said the district needed "innovation and creativity" for programs that would benefit the entire student body, while Jeff Borowick focused on a curriculum review, one that includes input from teachers and department chairs from throughout the district. Ron Smith said the district should set up a timetable for achieving desired educational goals. He also said that hiring outside counselors for such matters "might not be necessary."

In time, the debate turned to the current budget.

Jeff Borowick was asked by an audience member about his support for the current budget, which includes spending and tax increases. Borowick replied that while "different groups had different motives," he felt that approving such a budget for a vote was necessary to "make a statement" about BOE unity. He said he supported the "educational excellence" portion of the budget, adding also that he had tried to "tighten up" the document, even though "some of the BOE" went in a "different direction." While acknowledging that accounting fixes "can't go on" Borowick said that the BOE was capable of producing a better budget in the future.

Dani Kline, who, like Borowick, is an incumbent running for re-election, said that the budget is "educationally sound" and that savings might be found in areas such as teaching and supplies, where the earmarked funds might not be spent. David Seinfeld also supported the budget in the same terms as Ms. Kline. He added that some of the Special Education programs are "not costly."

Ronald Smith, however, expressed misgivings about the proposed budget. He said he was "shocked" at how the current BOE dealt with the budget, adding that is was "terrible" that they ended up adding more money to the final document. Smith said that 51 percent of him said "yes" to the budget, while 49 percent of him was not sure about it. The dilemma, he said, was high taxes. After July 1, Smith said, the BOE needs to see where more effective budgeting can be made.

On Tuesday, May 16, voters residing in the Roslyn School District will decide on the school budget and the election of trustees to the board of education. Voting will take place in the Roslyn High School gymnasium from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. They will also vote on the library budget and other propositions.

Proposition 1 on the ballot will be the proposed school budget for 2006-07 of $86,809,546, a spending increase of 7.87 percent over the current year. This will result in an average estimated tax increase of approximately 10 percent. The budget increase in 2004-05 was 3.25 percent and in 2005-06 it was 3.14 percent, compared to most neighboring districts which were considerably higher.

School Board President Stanley Stern said, "The entire community owes a debt of gratitude to the many individuals who have given tremendous amounts of time and energy to work on the proposed school budget. In addition to the Budget Advisory Committee, members of the audit, curriculum, capital and transportation committees have all contributed in positive and constructive ways to the budget process. This year's budget has truly been a community effort."

In addition to the Bryant Library's budget for 2006-07, which is Proposition 2, there are two other propositions on the ballot.

Proposition 3: Residents will be asked to authorize the expenditure of $4,112,000 for a Capital Plan. School officials continued to stress that a 'yes' vote for Proposition 3 would not raise property taxes because all projects will be paid for with funds recovered through civil and criminal proceedings. The objectives of the Capital Plan are threefold: to preserve and upgrade facilities; correct code and life-safety items; and address instructional needs.

"Ever since I arrived in Roslyn nearly two years ago, I have said that the neglect of the district by the previous administration was as scandalous as the embezzlement itself," said Superintendent of Schools David J. Helme in speaking about the Capital Plan. "And the area that was probably most overlooked was in buildings and grounds. It is fitting that the money the district receives in restitution be allocated to addressing these concerns, especially with respect to the health and safety of our students."

Proposition 4: Voters will decide on a special referendum regarding bus transportation for students. The referendum has been placed on the ballot as a result of a citizens' petition and not as a result of board action. A 'yes' vote would return mileage limits to the levels that were in force in Roslyn during the 1998-99 school year and save an estimated $176,533 in 2006-07. A 'no' vote would maintain mileage limits currently in effect. The change is summarized as follows:

Kindergarten: change from 0 miles to 3/10 mile

Grades 1-5: Change from 0 miles to 1/2 mile

Grades 6-8: Change from 0 miles to 3/4 mile

Grades 9-12: Change from 1/2 mile to 1-1/4 miles

Parents with questions about how approval of Proposition 4 may affect bus transportation for their children may call the Transportation Department at 625-6324.

Also on the ballot will be election of three trustees to serve on the Board of Education. Individuals who have filed petitions to be candidates are (in alphabetical order) Jeff Borowick, Dani Kline, David Seinfeld and Ronald Smith. The three candidates receiving the most votes will each be elected to three-year terms.

Additional information on ballot propositions, as well as absentee ballot applications and a complete 2006-07 school budget document, are available at www.roslynschools.org. Call District Clerk Anne Keller at 625-6599 for voter information.